Ready to cut the ribbon (from left) are almond pollination consultant Robert Curtis of Carmichael, retired director of agricultural affairs, Almond Board of California; Brad Pankratz of Can-Am Apiaries, Orland; Jackie Parks-Burris of Jackie Park-Burris Queen Bees, Palo Cedro and a past president of California State Beekeepers' Association; Darren Cox, Logan, Utah, past president of American Honey Producers; and Kelvin Adee of Bruce, S.D., president of American Honey Producers.

Ready to cut the ribbon (from left) are almond pollination consultant Robert Curtis of Carmichael, retired director of agricultural affairs, Almond Board of California; Brad Pankratz of Can-Am Apiaries, Orland; Jackie Parks-Burris of Jackie Park-Burris Queen Bees, Palo Cedro and a past president of California State Beekeepers' Association; Darren Cox, Logan, Utah, past president of American Honey Producers; and Kelvin Adee of Bruce, S.D., president of American Honey Producers.

And it's snipped! From left are almond pollination consultant Robert Curtis of Carmichael, retired director of agricultural affairs, Almond Board of California; Brad Pankratz of Can-Am Apiaries, Orland; Jackie Parks-Burris of Jackie Park-Burris Queen Bees, Palo Cedro and a past president of California State Beekeepers' Association; Darren Cox, Logan, Utah, past president of American Honey Producers; and Kelvin Adee of Bruce, S.D., president of American Honey Producers.

And it's snipped! From left are almond pollination consultant Robert Curtis of Carmichael, retired director of agricultural affairs, Almond Board of California; Brad Pankratz of Can-Am Apiaries, Orland; Jackie Parks-Burris of Jackie Park-Burris Queen Bees, Palo Cedro and a past president of California State Beekeepers' Association; Darren Cox, Logan, Utah, past president of American Honey Producers; and Kelvin Adee of Bruce, S.D., president of American Honey Producers.

Beekeepers are gearing up for the California almond polination season, which usually starts around Feb. 14. Here, in this file photo, an industrious bee forages on an almond blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Beekeepers are gearing up for the California almond polination season, which usually starts around Feb. 14. Here, in this file photo, an industrious bee forages on an almond blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The wax-working glands of a honey bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The wax-working glands of a honey bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Reusable food wrappers--crafted with bees wax--are considered a better alternative than plastic wrap. This wrapper is the work of Teresa Hickman of Vacaville (handmadebyTeresa, Facebook page) who offers these at farmers' markets, festival and other venues in the area. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Reusable food wrappers--crafted with bees wax--are considered a better alternative than plastic wrap. This wrapper is the work of Teresa Hickman of Vacaville (handmadebyTeresa, Facebook page) who offers these at farmers' markets, festival and other venues in the area. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The parts of a honey bee include the head, thorax and abdomen. A class on "Advanced Anatomy and Physiology of the Honey Bee" takes place Oct. 19 at UC Davis, and is offered by the UC Davis-based California Master Beekeeper Program. This image was taken in Vacaville of a bee heading toward a tower of jewels, Echium wildpretii.(Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The parts of a honey bee include the head, thorax and abdomen. A class on "Advanced Anatomy and Physiology of the Honey Bee" takes place Oct. 19 at UC Davis, and is offered by the UC Davis-based California Master Beekeeper Program. This image was taken in Vacaville of a bee heading toward a tower of jewels, Echium wildpretii.(Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)